M. LAVAL’S MISSION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 86, 5 January 1935, Page 11

M. LAVAL’S MISSION

Coming Official Visit to Rome STATEMENT TO PRESS Friendship in Interests of World Peace (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 3. The French Foreign Minister, M. Laval, will leave Paris to-night for Rome at the invitation of the Italian Government. Important discussions concerning the two countries will take place, and will include questions of general policy in the conclusion of conversations which have been in progress for some time past through diplomatie channels. The significance of this development is fully recognised in the British Press, which points out that it is the first time since the war that a French Foreign Minister has paid an official visit to the Italian capital. \ Before leaving for. Rome, M. Laval, in an interview with foreign' Press correspondents, is reported as saying: “The negotiations we have been conducting have been very delicate, but have always been carried on. with the greatest cordiality. The task which, with Signor Mussolini, I am taking in hand is not alone concerned with our two countries. Its aim is higher. It is not merely to establish a closer, more solid, and unshakable friendship between Italy and France, but to put that common friendship at the service of world' peace. "I shall defend the interests of France, Signor Mussolini will defend the interests of Italy, but as we have the same comprehension of the grave questions we are facing, we shall both cefend the interests of universal peace. These sentiments I know are shared by all those countries with whom we have discussed our work. They have all the same appreciation of the responsibility which lies upon our shoulders. I am convinced tliat the task which I am endeavouring to accomplish with ■Signor Mussolini will lead us to a rapprochement with all those whose collaboration is indispensable to the safeguarding of qhe peace of Europe ami the world.” Hopeful Press Comment.

British newspapers comment hopefully iu regard to the outcome of M. Laval’s visit to Signor Mussolini. The terms upon which the French and Italian Ministers are seeking a settlement of various issqes which for so long have been outstanding between them’ have not been made known with any precision, and the same applies for the time being to the wider “non-interference agreement” projected between a number of European Powers. But the fact that a French Foreign Secretary is visiting Rome for the first time iu 20 years is taken as implying confidence in success and this fair prospect of a Franco-Ital-ian agreement, coupled with the discussion of an agreement intended to remove suspicion and improve relations between European neighbours are together considered a good augury for the New Year. The newspapers do no" fail to point out that success on such lines must help to pave the way for an approach to the armament issue. The newspapers state that FrancoItalian colonial questions, which have been outstanding since the war, and have now been narrowed down to relatively minor issues during diplomatic exchanges, will form the subject of conversations as well as work on the projected multilateral pact, sponsored by France and Italy for guaranteeing Austrian integrity, the prospect of. which is regarded as being notably advanced by M. Laval’s decision to undertake the visit.

“The Times” says that in regard to Austria it seems probable that in its final form the agreement will relate chiefly to non-interference in the internal affairs of a neighbouring country and to common action against international terrorists. Much satisfaction has been expressed in official circles at yesterday’s developments, as the British Government has tljrougbout the recent negotiations done everything possible to further them. To Visit London. A Foreign Office announcement says that on the occasion of his conversations in Paris on December 22 with M. Flandin, Premier of France, and M. Laval, 1 on the European situation, Si? John Simon, Foreign Secretary, expressed the hope that the conversations eould be renewed in London at an early date. While in the South of France* Sir John, has kept in close touch witn the discussions between the French and Italian Governments, as the result of which M. Laval’s visit to Rome is announced. It had been hoped t’hat the visit of tlie French Ministers to London would take place immediately thereafter. Owing to pressure of time, it has been found necessary to postpone the visit, which will now take place as soon as possible after the sitting of the Council of the League of Nations on January 11. (Note on Page 9.)